DONALD WILLIAM MUNSON
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Donald as a child in 1934 – Image courtesy of Brian Coleman
Born: 1922, Ipswich.
Died: 29th January 1944; age: 21; aircraft crashed shortly after take-off.
Residence: 6, Ernleigh Road, Ipswich.
Rank: Sergeant/Navigator; Service Number: 1395912.
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 76 Squadron.
Grave Reference:
X.C.3. 83.
Ipswich.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of William Charles & Ruby Emma Munson, of Ipswich.
Father: William Charles Munson, born April 1885, Ipswich.
Mother: Ruby Emma Munson (nee Pallant), born November 1897, Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
Donald with his Family, Audrey & Hazel Munson in 1934.
29th January 1944
Aircraft: Halifax Mk; serial number: DK245; Code: MP-G; based at R.A.F. Holme-on-Spalding Moor, East Riding of Yorkshire. DK245 took off from Holme-on-Spalding Moor airfield at 00:07hrs on a bombing mission to Berlin, Germany. The aircraft failed to gain height and crashed into trees. Donald and Gordon were killed, and 5 other members of the crew were injured.
Fellow Crew:
Gordon Channon; Sergeant/Mid Upper Gunner; age 19; R.A.F.V.F.
Leslie Wilkins, Sergeant/Air Gunner; R.A.F.V.R.
James Dawber Ashton; Flight Sergeant/Bomb Aimer; R.A.F.V.R.
William Barlow Ward; Flight Sergeant/Pilot; R.A.F.
A. Ferguson; Sergeant; R.A.F.
J.L.WIlkinson; Sergeant; R.A.F.
Donald is also remembered on the war memorial at the Town Hall, Ipswich.
Note:
2019 – A family friend, Brian Coleman, recalls his youth: Donald was slightly older than I, but we both joined the RAF. I trained in radar systems on Lancaster Bombers. While I was serving, the family got the call that the plane had crashed and that Donald had been killed. He was engaged to a WRAF girl who apparently witnessed the crash.
3 Comments
Achtung:
Ich habe Arbeitskollege:
*Walter William Ford Munson*
geboren: 2.7.1954
in Ipswich
wohnt in Germany
45699 Herten
Sucht Bild von Vater:
Frederic Munson
Mehr möchte er nicht.
Er will nur wissen, wie sein Vater aussieht.
Bitte um Hilfe.
My name is Ian Ward. I am the youngest son of WB Ward who was the pilot of the plane in which Donald was killed along with one other crew member. My father never talked in any detail about what happened but he was clearly, and in my opinion, unjustifiably, full of remorse about what happened. It was war and war is horrible so that horrible things happen. If it makes a difference, he did tell me that he had the best time of his life during the 16 sorties he flew and that he trusted all his crew completely. If it means anything, Dad was offered a commission but refused it unless all the other members of his crew were offered it too. I hope to visit Donald’s grave one day and the grave of Gordon Channon, who also died in the crash You can see an all too brief t account of Dad’s service online by accessing Battle of Britain London Monument William Barlow Ward. I thought to send this at this important time of the year when we should all give thanks to those that showed so much bravery and in Gordon’s case, sacrificed so much.
Hi Ian
Gordon Channon was my mum’s cousin. I have visited his grave in St Andrews churchyard Feniton.
Regards Drew